Japan has one of the strictest gun control regulations in the world. There were 177,719 licenced firearms in 2021. In 2022 four people died from shootings, two of the victims were part of an organised crime group.
In the USA there were 37,038 gun related deaths (all causes) in 2019, beaten only by Brazil with 49,436 deaths. The USA comes second in the list of countries with the highest rates of firearm-related suicide 7.12 per 100,000 of the population. Greenland came top with 16.36 per 100k.
Gun ownership in 2017 in the USA is estimated to be 120.5 per 100 k of the population. In Afghanistan it is estimated to be 12.5 per 100 k and in Scotland 5.6 per 100 k.
Ok, those are some of the published statistics that indicate a strong correlation between gun ownership and gun related deaths. What about the cultural factors?
The right to bear arms was written into the American Constitution in 1787. The war of independence had ended just four years earlier, so being prepared to fight was a sensible precaution. War broke out again between Britain and America in 1812.
Over two hundred years later the right to bear arms is no longer needed to protect the sovereignty of the USA. It has a more personal importance in terms of freedom. However, the right to defend your loved ones and your property does not require ownership of assault rifles or automatic weaponry.
The Japanese have to renew their gun licences every three years. A psychiatric evaluation is mandatory. A target practice high score must be achieved. This does not prevent illegal weapons reaching organised criminals, but reduces the number of legal guns in circulation and makes sure that gun owners are of sound judgment.
Mass killings are frequently carried out in the USA by people with mental health issues in possession of an arsenal of high-powered, military grade, automatic weapons.
Freedom loving, flag waving, Trump supporters would be expected to own at least one gun and be prepared to use it. Those liberals who were persuaded to buy a gun for their own protection are not really part of the NRA crowd, so you probably wouldn’t have to prise their gun from their cold dead hand,
odespinner 